Other vehicles are smart enough to park themselves and swerve automatically to avoid pedestrians.

Nissan executive vice-president Mitsuhiko Yamashita said the latest safety advancements were proactive, unlike airbags and other "passive" features triggered by a crash.

Next-generation steering that uses electronic signals to control tyres is to be introduced in an Infiniti luxury model within a year, and would be a world first for a commercially produced car.

The technology is being touted as the biggest innovation in steering since the adoption of power-assisted steering using hydraulics.

Nissan executives said electronic steering is safer because drivers tend to overcompensate, such as when travelling in strong wind, and veer too much.

Vehicles equipped with electronic steering will still have a clutch as a back-up.